Tamron has been in the lens and photography industry for the longest time and has achieved great successes and achievements. Their entry into the Fuji industry was well welcomed, and they did not disappoint in the first lens they made for Fuji.
Recently, Tamron started making lenses for Fuji. It just announced the development of the first lens for the FUJIFILM X-series.
This lens, the Tamron 16-300mm F 3.5- 3.6 Di III-A2 VC VXD, can be described as monstrous when it comes to the focal-length range with an all-in-one zoom feature. It is available for the Sony E-mount APS-C as well.
This brand-new lens marks the beginning of Tamron’s entry into the Fujifilm X series market. To provide the pleasure of taking photographs to more people worldwide, Tamron will continue developing unique products and expanding the number of lenses compatible with more camera brands.
Tamron Lenses for Fuji
The Tamron 18-300mm F 3.5- 3.6 Di III -A2 VC VXD debuted recently as the first lens for the FUJIFILM X-series camera system. This lens by Tamron is monstrous in terms of the focal length range with an all-in-one zoom. It is available for the Sony E-mount APS-C cameras as well.
Initially, Tamron worked successively with the Sony E-mount cameras in lens production. Its success in that sector resulted in many consumer requests for them to work with Fuji. And in responding to these requests, Tamron decided to join the lens industry for the popular FUJIFILM X-series APS-C cameras.
The first lens for FUJI catapulted Tamron into great heights and achieved outstanding recognition as the first-ever company to manufacture an all-in-one zoom lens for FUJI. Also, this lens has the most expansive focal length range available in any mirrorless lens.
This new lens features a full-frame focal length range equivalent to the 27-450mm that is designed to take you from moderate wide-angle to super-telephoto in the same lens. The autofocus system of this lens uses Tamron’s linear motor focus mechanism voice-call eXtreme-torque drive (VXD) for fast and quiet responsiveness.
Moreover, it utilizes the proprietary Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism characteristic of Tamron. The lens has an optical design that incorporates some particular lens elements that maximize its edge-to-edge performance, making it a high-model with a unique all-in-one zoom experience.
With a close-focus of the capability of 5.9″, this lens will have a reproduction ratio of 1:2, ideal for the best close-up photographic opportunities. Therefore, if you are a Sony E-mount APS-C or FUJIFILM X shooter, this is the perfect lens for you.
Tamron’s First Fujifilm X-mount lens
Tamron’s debuted all-in-one 18-300mm Di III-A VC VXD lens marks only the beginning of this company developing lenses for Fuji. This company plans to make even more lenses in the coming years. This lens is the first APS-C mirrorless zoom lens capable of achieving the 16.6 zoom ratio.
Furthermore, it is designed to be versatile and be able to handle a variety of environments. It utilizes the company’s linear focus mechanism that assures agile performance and superior quietness. The lens also boasts of having the highest autofocus level in its class.
Moreover, Tamron promises to include some particular lens elements to maintain high resolution and provide a high image quality.
The lens is designed to have a minimum focus distance of 5.9 inches at the wide end with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2. This ratio allows the lens to perform exemplary well in its category when shooting subjects up close.
The Vibration compensation feature on the lens will enable you to stabilize photography even in the most extended end. The front filter size is an impressive 67mm, the same as most mirrorless lenses in the same category.
Besides that, this lens is conveniently compact and moisture resistant for enhanced durability. It comes with a zoom lock switch and a fluorine coating on the element at the front. Tamron says that the Fujifilm X market is big enough and thus will release more X mount lenses.
Developing the lens for Fuji X
Tamron started developing the new lens not longer than a year ago. This was after Fujifilm shared its X mount protocols with third parties.
Their main goal was to develop a reasonably priced product and easy to use when designing the lens. Tamron picked Fuji over Sony since, even though Sony has a large market, the Fujifilm has a larger market, thus guaranteeing good business.
Moreover, many customers requested the highly reputed Tamron to expand into other mounts. Tamron opted for the superzoom as a start since Fujifilm already offered only the XF18-135MM F3.5- 3.6 when it comes to high-magnification zooms.
The 18- 300mm F/3.5 – 3.6 supplements the current lineup of Fujifilm. This lens is also ideal for shooting using one lens only and making space in your bag while traveling. It has an ergonomic design giving users a feeling of familiarity and warmth.
Reducing the Size and Weight
The market is overflowing with many lightweights, small, high-performing mirrorless cameras. Therefore, the lens had to be small as well. Tamron’s prototype was slightly superior, with a maximum diameter of 80.5mm. Later on, after repeating the interaction and design multiple times, it reduced the size without compromising operability and optical performance.
Furthermore, the filter diameter is 67mm, similar to most of Tamron’s products. It has a weight of approximately 620g that makes it possible to shoot with one hand, though not recommended. Weight reduction was also achieved by arranging the engineering plastic parts and metal parts in their appropriate places while balancing product weight and strength.
Incredible close-up performance
This lens offers an impressive shooting distance, with the shortest being 0.15mm at the wide end of 18mm with a working space of approximately 5mm. With a filter attached, you can get close enough to make contact. Tamron managed to achieve its goal of improving close-up photography performance.
With smartphones, it is natural for them to come close to us, making it easier for people to accept products without restrictions on the shortest shooting distance. However, in close-up photography, the filter attached is likely to contact the subject or hit the lens.
The Motors inside the Lens
Tamron’s brand-new lens prides itself in being the first high-magnification zoom in the world for APS-C cameras. Mirrorless lenses require a motor to move the focus lens group directly.
They also need another motor to close and open the aperture blades and another for VC’s image stabilization mechanism. In total, it has three built-in motors, which, if not properly arranged, the lens barrel becomes thick.
A small motor drives the optical system. This is only possible because the focus system lens group was made as light as possible. Even though no restrictions are applied to the focus lens group, the design was complicated. It had to achieve a high-dimensional image quality that matches the modern high-performance cameras. The biggest challenge was to downsize the lens.
Image Quality
For the high-magnification zoom, you are required to contract and expand the lens barrel while each of the zoom groups moves along the camera.
With the zoom magnification of 16.6x, the amount of movement for each zoom group is much more significant than the Tamron 28-200mm F 2.8- 5.6 Di III RXD. Moreover, it has an inbuilt image stabilization that makes designing more difficult. This lens offers the highest level of image quality compared to other superzooms by Tamron.
There are seven lenses for image quality, and Tamron managed to control each group’s movement with smoothness and high accuracy. Also featured is the digital correction unique to mirrorless cameras that you can use to enhance image quality. Even without it, the image quality is still high enough to outdo other modern digital camera models.
Autofocus Performance
This lens is the first-ever superzoom by Tamron to feature the linear motor Voice-coil eXtreme torque driver VXD. This feature was first employed in the Tamron 70-180mm F/ 2.8 Di III VXD and was well-received thanks to its highly accurate and fast AF.
The AF performance of this lens is very satisfactory. The linear motor VXD works to suppress noise more significantly than other motors, even when shooting movies.
Which Tamron Lenses Are Compatible with Fuji?
Some Tamron lenses are compatible with Fuji. For instance, the K&F M23111 Tamron Adaptall ii Lenses can be used on the Fujifilm X series camera body. It is made of brass and aluminum with a precise, stable, and durable construction. This lens can be manually operated and allows infinity focus.
It is compatible with Fuji X-A1, X-A2, X-A3, X-E1, X-M1, X-Pro1, X-S1, X-T1, X10, XF1, XQ1, X-T20, and many more. You are advised to use this lens with a telephoto bracket and a tripod for balancing its weight when shooting for the heavy medium format lenses.
About Tamron company
Tamron is renowned for its various optical products, from different optical devices to interchangeable lenses for digital cameras. The optical products contribute to multiple industries and are devoted to spreading their cutting-edge technology prowess and rich creativity.
Conclusion
Tamron has continuously expanded its line of lenses from working with Sony. The wide adoption and the popularity of these lenses have prompted many user requests to manufacture the lens for other camera brands.
And Fuji was the lucky one following the development of the world’s first all-in-one zoom lens for the FUJIFILM APS-C mirrorless cameras featuring a 16.6x zoom ratio. Tamron still has much to offer Fuji soon.
